The Indianapolis Colts do enough in the off season to win the AFC South? The Indianapolis Colts in-depth analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season. Will these additions help The Indianapolis Colts turn around their 2013 season and win the AFC South in 2014?
The Indianapolis Colts ended 2013 with an 11-5 record and made the playoffs. They were not as good as their record suggests. Beating top tier teams and then losing to the worst the NFL has to offer. They will need more consistency if they are to improve in 2014. The Colts traded away their first round pick to the Browns for RB Trent Richardson and they also traded away a 4th round pick in a draft day trade in the 2013 draft. With only 5 draft picks they were a bit restrained to make any moves and just took the best players that fit their needs. Read my analysis on their draft day, 2014 Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft Report Card and Pick Analysis.
Impact of free agency
Colts thought they were set at Center signing Phil Costa and were shocked when a few days later he decided to retire at 26 years old. That totally changed their focus in the draft. Needing to upgrade their secondary, they signed FS Colt Anderson who is especially useful on special teams. They also decided to focus on upgrading their pass rush and signed former Ravens DE Arthur Jones. Jones will immediately upgrade their ability to pressure the QB and force turnovers. Losing WR Darrius Heyward-Bey forced the Colts to sign WR Hakeem Nicks from the Giants and I am just unsure if this is a good move,. Hicks just doesn't seem to be motivated to play and plays like he “hears footsteps.” Risky signing so they back that move up with the drafting of WR Donte Moncrief. Always risky guaranteeing a 31 year old linebacker $11 million dollars but the Colts were desperate for a linebacker to back up LB Jerrell Freeman. Don't think this tandem will solve their run stopping deficiencies.
Players lost in the off season to other teams
- Antoine Bethea, SS--8th season, signed by The San Francisco 49ers
- Donald Brown, RB--5th season, signed by The San Diego Chargers
- Kavell Conner, ILB--4th season, signed by The San Diego Chargers
- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR--5th season, signed by The Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jeffrey Linkenbach, G--4th season, signed by The Kansas City Chiefs
- Ricardo Mathews, DT--4th season, signed by The Houston Texans
- Mike McGlynn, G--6th season, signed by The Washington Redskins
- Cassius Vaughn, CB--4th season, signed by The Detroit Lions
Players signed in free agency from other teams
- Colt Anderson, FS--4th season, signed from The Philadelphia Eagles
- Phil Costa, C--4th season, signed from The Dallas Cowboys
- D'Qwell Jackson, ILB--8th season, signed from The Cleveland Browns
- Arthur Jones, DE--4th season, signed from The Baltimore Ravens
- Hakeem Nicks, WR--5th season, signed from The New York Giants
- Carson Wiggs, K--Rookie, signed from The Seattle Seahawks
Can The Indianapolis Colts make it to the playoffs in 2014?
I don't see the Colts winning their division. I would love to see the Colts go after a medically cleared TE Jermichael Finley. That could be the player that almost guarantees them a revisit to the playoffs. Colts should feel lucky they play in a really weak division and they only have a revamped Houston Texans to fear. I think it is very possible that the Texans can win the AFC South and leave the Colts wondering what happened.
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